New Nexus tablet, Android version coming at Google event?

When Google held its I/O developer conference earlier this year, something was missing. A new version of Android was expected to show up on the agenda but was MIA. Google has not formally announced a new release for Android, with the current version being 4.2.2, a.k.a. Jelly Bean.

But that may change next week. Google has sent out press invitations for a July 24 event to be hosted by the new head of its Android group, Sundar Pichai. The invitation was extremely generic, according to the Los Angeles Times, asking reporters simply to “join us for breakfast.”

Still, there are plenty of rumors floating around what will be announced. Among them:

• At the very least, you can probably expect some new hardware. On the same day that the invites went out, images and a video purporting to show an update to the Asus-made Nexus 7 tablet were leaked to Android Central.

Engadget reports the tablet will be available in 16- and 32-GB models, with both Wi-Fi and cellular data connections. The 32-GB version will start at about $269. The tablet also adds a rear camera. According to Engadget’s tipster, it could be available as early as Saturday.

• Also waiting in the wings is Motorola’s Moto X, the first device from the handset maker that will bear new owner Google’s design and philosophical influence. There already have been ads for the device, which tout some cosmetic customization of the hardware, though Motorola has yet to show off the phone itself.

• If a new version of Android is announced, it’s likely to be a minor release, probably Android 4.3. It is not expected to be dramatically different from 4.2.2, and there already have been leaks of 4.3 as unofficial updates to existing hardware, like the Nexus 4. However, there’s also some anticipation that Android 5.0, known as Key Lime Pie, could make an appearance – though it is not expected to be released until October.

What would you like to see at next week’s Android event? Let us know in the comments.